SISD will be holding their 4th Annual Baccalaureate ceremony next Thursday, May 17 at Sharyland Pioneer High School at 7 p.m.

The ceremony, a one-hour religious service to honor the graduating class, has been done in the district since 1995. Then, the seniors of Sharyland High School have been celebrating the Baccalaureate ceremony with seniors from Mission Independent School District. Due to the growth in both school districts over the past 20 years, Sharyland and Pioneer High School started holding their own Baccalaureate ceremony.

This year’s speaker will be Mike Patin, a public speaker who spoke at the district’s first Baccalaureate ceremony in 2015. Patin uses energy, humor and stories to affirm God’s goodness and presence among us while inviting others, and himself, to take the “next step” in the journey with God.

Patin has worked in ministry since 1984, first as a high school teacher and coach, and then in diocesan ministry for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Since 2003, he has worked full time as a speaker and “faith horticulturist.”

Throughout his ministry, Patin has been privileged to speak to groups ranging from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 diocese in the U.S. and Canada. He has spoken at parish mission conferences, rallies, retreats, leadership institutes and in-services, addressing youth, adults, families, clergy, seminarians, school faculties, businesses, athletic teams and hospital staff.

Patin has published two books, A Standing Invitation and This Was Not in the Brochure: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry. In 2006, he received the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award.

Patin lives in Lafayette, LA with his wife, Marlene, and his daughter, Megan.